North Carolina Wrongful Death Laws

Wrongful Death Litigation

There’s no good time to say goodbye to someone you love, but saying goodbye when it’s too soon makes the parting even more difficult. There’s no way to bring your loved one back but the closure you need can be found by holding those accountable responsible for their actions.

If your loved one has departed too early due to the activities or actions of a person or company, call the attorneys at Kelly & West for information about wrongful death. For more than 30 years, Kelly & West, they’ve worked to help people like you make sure others are held accountable for their negligence or wrongdoing.

Wrongful Death Experience

The experienced team at Kelly & West can work for you to discover the truth. Remember, you may be able to prevent someone else from going through the same experience by holding the responsible party accountable. There are limitations on how long after a wrongful death you can take action, so don’t hesitate. Call Kelly & West today for a free consultation of your case. Don’t give up your rights. Let us protect you.

By: Thomas West 

Jonathan Ferrell Lawsuit Recovery

$2.25 million, that’s how much the city will pay, to settle a lawsuit from the family of Jonathan Ferrell. CMPD Officer Randall Kerrick shot and killed Ferrell in 2013. Kerrick is set to go on trial in July on a charge of voluntary manslaughter.

Does This Settlement Affect the Criminal Trial

We don’t know and the mayor would not speculate at this point, but what happened here today closes at least one legal chapter. Out of court settlements in many instances are kept quiet – very quiet. However, in the case of Jonathan Ferrell, city officials pulled no punches in announcing the final figures in the wrongful death civil suit.   I can confirm that the city of Charlotte and the Ferrell family have agreed to settle the civil lawsuit for $2.25 million.

CMPD officer Randall Kerrick is charged with voluntary manslaughter in Ferrell’s death. He was fatally shot in the Reedy Creek neighborhood during September of 2013. The case against Kerrick heads to trial this summer, but the mayor isn’t sure of the impact that the settlement in the civil case will have on the upcoming legal proceedings.

We really aren’t able to talk at all about the criminal trial, and I don’t really know what – if any – impact at all this could, or could not, have on the criminal trial.

Implications of Successful Litigation

Community organizations have been keeping an eye on the case, and the head of one group says, “Today’s announcement continues the ongoing process of finding closure.”  The bittersweet comes in where we’ve been waiting so long, so we pleased at the outcome on today, but it’s been two years. Before leaving the podium, Mayor Clodfelter shared the thoughts and emotions of Jonathan Ferrell’s family who wants to assist with healing in our city.

The Ferrell family has expressed a strong interest in the ongoing work of the city on these issues, and is committed to working with the city to see that out of this family tragedy can come healing.  And after that news conference here at the Government Center Ferrell’s mother issues a statement. We want to share part of it with you, the words coming from Georgia Ferrell – his mother – it says, “We are grateful that this case has been resolved, but it is devastating to know that nothing we do will ever bring Jonathan back. Our faith in God and the power of prayer are the only things that have gotten us through this tragic situation.” Again, Kerrick goes to trial in July. For now we’re at the Government Center, Steve Crump WBTV On Your Side.

Kerrick Case Arguments

Steve, let’s give folks the other side of this coin. Tonight Kerrick’s attorneys are blasting the settlement. They say city officials behind closed doors decided to spend precious taxpayer dollars despite not having seen any of the evidence in this case, and despite Officer Kerrick not have been found guilty or at all liable in the civil suit. Stay with WBTV for continuing coverage of this story. We’ll follow any new developments leading up to the trial on WBTV, and WBTV.com.

By: Charles G. Monnett

How is the Family Doing?

This has obviously been a difficult couple of years for them. It’s been an extremely difficult time for them over the last few days, but they’re adjusting the best they can and they plan to stay in Charlotte and attend the whole trial.

How Will His Lawyers Argue Self-Defense?

I don’t think they really have much choice. There’s no doubt that Officer Kerrick fired the fatal shots. So the only question for the jury is whether he was justified in doing so. And the only justification that they’ll be able to offer is that he posed some type of serious risk to Officer Kerrick.

Legal Punishments

Well, I think there has to be accountability and there has to be accountability on both sides of the law. When an officer takes the life of a citizen without justification, he has to stand accountable for his actions just like citizens would if they assaulted an officer.

By: Charles G. Monnett

Recoverable Damages

The monetary damages recoverable in a wrongful death claim include the following: reasonable funeral expenses, the medical bills incurred by the decedent prior to his or her death, the pain and suffering endured by the decedent prior to his or her death, and the present net value of the decedent to those who are legally entitled to compensation as a result of his or her death, and possibly punitive damages. It is very important for you to hire an experienced law firm like Wilson Law PA to handle your wrongful death claim. I’m Kimberly Wilson-White. Please call Wilson Law PA fora free consultation. (877) 571-4047 or look us up online www.wilsonlawpa.com.

By: Kimberly Wilson